- Berezutski twins started together.
- Kevin Volland gave Leverkusen the lead.
- Bibras Natcho equalized for CSKA Moscow.
Bayer Leverkusen got an early lead by Kevin Volland, but had to work hard in the second half, after Bibras Natcho equalized, to secure an important point in the Russian capital.
CSKA Moscow vs Bayer Leverkusen 1-1
Goals: 0-1 Volland (16’) 1-1 Natcho (P 76’)
Bayer Leverkusen dominated early proceedings, but it was CSKA Moscow with the biggest chances of the game early on, as Fedor Chalov and Aleksandr Golovin combined early Golovin, however, could not control the ball, and then shortly after Golovin once again broke away from Bayer’s defence, and Bernd Leno had to do well to stop the shot. It was the Germans, however, who would open the scoring, as Kevin Volland beat Igor Akinfeev after a clever freekick trick. Alan Dzagoev almost equalized with a wonderful volley that just about went over Leno’s goal.
It was a spirited start to the second half with both sides jousting for the upper hand in the first 15 minutes of the second interval. Çalhanoğlu could have put the match to bed his freekick from 18 yards, however, narrowly missed the far post of the goal. CSKA was determined to get back into the match, Chalov curled the ball passed Leno’s goal, and Golovin had a close ranged shot scraped off the line. CSKA were then awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenged by Benjamin Henrichs on Mário Fernandes, and Bibras Natcho stepped up to convert the penalty. Shortly after Volland made a cheeky play in the box, but his shot hit the far post.
The result means that CSKA can no longer qualify for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Bayer Leverkusen at the meantime are through to the next round if Tottenham Hotspur lose to AS Monaco later today.
Man of the Match
Fedor Chalov was the player of the game, as the 18-year-old was a constant threat to Bayer’s defence. This was Chalov’s first start in the Champions League, and surely will not be his last.
CSKA Moscow vs Bayer Leverkusen – Talking Point
Igor Akinfeev’s run of not being able to keep a clean sheet in the competition continues, as the Russian national team keeper has been without a clean sheet in the Champions League since November 2006.
CSKA Moscow vs Bayer Leverkusen – Match Stats
- Akinfeev, who played his 100 European game today, has not managed a clean sheet in 38 games. His last clean sheet occurred on November 1 2006 in a match against Arsenal.
- With an average age of 23 years and 346 days, Bayer Leverkusen played with the youngest starting 11 in their Champions League history.
- Bayer Leverkusen have now scored in the 14 away games in a row.
- CSKA Moscow have lost their previous four matches against German opponents.
Line-ups
Akinfeev (c) – Shchennikov, V. Berezutski, A. Berezutski, Mário Fernandes – Natcho, Wernbloom – Milanov, Dzagoev (Traoré 82’), Golovin – Chalov
Coach: Leonid Slutsky
Leno – Henrichs, Toprak (c), Tah, Jedvaj – Brandt (Havertz 70’), Kampl (Mehmedi 90’), Aránguiz, Volland – Çalhanoğlu – Chicharito (Baumgartlinger 80’)
Coach: Roger Schmidt
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